One-pot, aqueous-phase synthesis of graphene oxide functionalized with heterocyclic groups to give increased solubility in organic solvents

An easy and versatile method for the covalent functionalization of graphene oxide (GO) is reported. The functionalized GO is synthesized by a polyphosphoric acid-catalyzed cyclization reaction of the carboxylic groups on GO with the hydroxyl and amino groups on o-aminophenol and o-phenylenediamine, resulting in it being well dispersed in many organic solvents. The results may provide a way to extend the use of GO as a functional material in electronic devices and high performance structural materials.